1. Miami Heat
With the players and elevated salaries to offer and match things financially, the Heat were considered the most realistic favorite to acquire Westbrook and a preferred landing spot for him. Then an apparent hesitancy to include Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro in a deal seemed to open the door for others, and the Rockets walked through it.
Miami got a deal done to bring in Jimmy Butler, but they pretty clearly want to form a name-brand, star backcourt. On the news of the Westbrook-Paul deal, however obviously, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski pointed to Miami as a landing spot for Paul.
Houston hoped to find third-team destination preferable to Chris Paul, but ultimately leaves it OKC to execute next step once Presti confers w/ CP3 agent Leon Rose. Miami remains possibility for Paul (3 years, $124M) -- and OKC obviously has picks to incentivize deal, if needed.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 12, 2019
As it reportedly was with Westbrook, at least at one point, Miami may be Paul’s preferred destination. The Rockets wanted to acquire Butler and make him their third star alongside Paul and James Harden, so it’s quite possible the two talked at that point and have already discussed teaming up with the Heat since Thursday night’s trade went down.
Chris Paul can be traded immediately after the trade is finalized. The two-month restriction only applies if his salary is aggregated with another player on the Thunder. https://t.co/80DrWuJfgK
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 12, 2019
Here’s how a deal sending Paul to Miami could work.
Dragic’s role with Miami would go away with Paul’s arrival, and his expiring contract would become an asset for Oklahoma City. In lieu of sending a draft pick, the Heat would send Winslow to the Thunder.